Welcome to the ultimate destination for dog enthusiasts and social media mavens alike. At Dogfluencers, we're passionate about showcasing the best and brightest in the world of four-legged fame.
Whether you're looking for adorable photos, heartwarming stories, or expert tips on how to turn your own pup into a social media star, we've got you covered.
Today we got the honor of interviewing Alicia (Tobias's Human). You can find a direct link to their Instagram here.
Here is their story:
Can you tell us about your journey to becoming a dog influencer? What inspired you to start sharing your dog's adventures on social media?
Lam:Ever since I was young, I have always wanted to have a Golden Retriever! Once Tobi came into my life I knew I wanted to document every second of it. My dog prior to Tobi was actually a chocolate Lab named Daisy who tragically passed away suddenly which absolutely broke my heart. While I have plenty of photos of Daisy I wish I had more. With Tobi, I want to take as many photos and videos to cherish all the memories we make together whether they be everyday life or a special trip. This page really is for everyone and anyone who loves their pets and for them to remember to give them love whenever they can.
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Lam:Tobi is such a kind and goofy soul. He has so many characteristics of a Golden Retriever like being completely obsessed with clothing (especially socks!) but he can be such a home body and not want to go on walks which you would not expect from a puppy! Instead, he would rather lay on the couch with you and snuggle. He loves to steal your shoes and parade them around the house and one of his favorite vegetables is lettuce. It is impossible not to love Tobi! His personality is so infectious that even my friends who swear to be cat lovers only adore him and tell him he is the best dog ever!
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Lam: There really isn't a specific creative process that I have when creating content. I just love watching him grow into the dog he is becoming and want to document every single moment. I love experiencing things together with Tobi for the first time such as his first time to the dog park or his first time on a walk. I also like making content that is relatable with other pet owners and sometimes specific to Golden Retriever owners. That way it feels more personalized and we can start conversations together and share our experiences with one another. I think the internet can be very lonely place even if we are more connected than ever in a sense but if I can touch the lives of people just by putting a smile on their face with Tobi, that makes me very happy.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Lam: So far I am lucky to have not but when you put yourself out there you always have to keep in mind that not everyone is going to like your content. Everyone is different and maybe they don't think your content is funny or they just don't like it which is okay. You just have to remember that there will be people who love your content and their words of encouragement and love will trump any negativity. I know I am doing this because I love capturing memories with Tobi and that's all that matters to me.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Lam: If you even slightly think about, just do it! It has been so much fun creating content and it has made me get out of the house more with Tobi and try new things! I have also met some amazing content creators and just some really lovely people through his page. I started this page just for fun and to document Tobi's growth and not for the title of "influencer". I just wanted to show the world how cute Tobi is and if they want to follow along with his journey they are more than welcome to! I would also say make sure you and your dog enjoy doing this because the last thing you want is for your pet to be unhappy just because of a social media page. People will be able to sense that right away. Make sure to keep it light and friendly and naturally people will want to follow.
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Lam: I really start to cherish everyday I have with not just him but everyone around me. I am currently a vet student and I can get so trapped in my studies that I forget the time and the day flies by. Between my lectures, I now remind myself to get up and give him love and pets and make sure to get some good quality play time in. Instead of scrolling on my phone during my breaks, I take him on walks which gets me out of the house more and exercising as well as take him to the dog park lots cause that is truly when he is the happiest and that just makes my heart melt. He also brings quality time between my husband and I where we love to take him around town and have coffee dates when the weather is nice. Having a dog changes a lot about our perspectives and how we view the world I think. Something I love about having a dog is coming home and seeing them get so excited when we walk through the door, it's the best part of my day and small things like that make me realize that even on our toughest days, everything is going to be alright.
Can you tell us about a particularly memorable or funny moment you've had with your dog during one of your photo shoots or adventures?
Lam: There are just too many! But one moment that sticks in my mind is the first time he picked up his first sock. All of my previous dogs never really cared for clothing and I knew a stereotype with Golden Retrievers is that they go crazy for socks. When he got a hold of it, his eyes completely lit up and his tail started wagging SO HARD! His entire butt was swinging left to right! I thought this was maybe a one time thing but it kept happening over and over again and now I truly do understand how much Golden Retrievers love socks. Any chance he can get a sock he will dash for it and will even try to take them from you as you are putting them on! Because of his love for socks I got him a Dobby plushie and tied socks around his ears and made a video out of it!
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Lam:Meeting all the other lovely dog influencers! Everyone is so kind and open in this community that it warms my heart and makes me want to make more content for sure. I love seeing all the other dogs and their funny quirks and personalities. It is so cool when I see a video of another dog and think 'oh wow Tobi does the exact same thing!' It very relatable and its always a good laugh. I think anything animal/pet based is the best group on any social media platform really and I am so blessed to be here.
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Lam: I know he's only 7 months right now but I cannot wait till his 1st birthday because I am going to throw him the biggest party ever! My husband and I want children in the future but he is the first dog that we both got together (Daisy was his dog originally) and we want to throw him a big party with all of his friends. With summer around the corner as well, we really want to bring him to the beach because so far he has only swam in lakes and I think he would go absolutely nuts for the ocean.
